The Boston Red Sox signaled significant confidence in Roman Anthony by signing the rookie to an eight-year extension. A former MLB player expects Anthony to justify the investment.
Boston awarded Anthony a $130 million contract that includes contract escalators and a $30 million club option for 2034. The 21-year-old outfielder joins Ceddanne Rafaela, Kristian Campbell, Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello among Red Sox players given multi-year deals.
Mark DeRosa is a fan of Boston’s path. The MLB Network analyst and former utility man praised the team’s direction and set a sky-high bar for Anthony during Thursday’s “MLB Central.”
“I love what the Boston Red Sox are about,” DeRosa said. ” I love the fact that they locked up — Ceddanne Rafaela looks like an absolute steal, eight years, $50 million. This, probably to most fans, looks like an absolute steal, and I think Roman Anthony’s got a chance to win MVPs. He is special.”
Despite that endorsement, DeRosa thinks it can be dangerous for a team to extend everyone. He feels the Atlanta Braves “made way too many guys way too rich,” suggesting it diminished their drive.
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The Team USA manager doesn’t have that concern about Anthony, who’s proven he belongs by batting .276/.392/.417 for Boston. MLB’s former No. 1 prospect has the tools to meet DeRosa’s lofty expectations.
Anthony will make more money if DeRosa is right. The contract reportedly includes a $2 million bonus for each MVP won in 2032 and 2033, and 2031 if he finishes first or second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. The incentives include lower payouts for finishing on the MVP ballot.
But hey, no pressure for someone who will reach the two-month anniversary of his MLB call-up on Saturday.
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